Locking mechanism for automobile doors



Nov. 21, 1939. ,.A. c; FINDLAY LOCKING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE DOORS Filed Aug. 13, 193 4 7 4 Sheets-Sheet 1- J Inventor,-

NOV. 21,1939. 4 3, FINDLAY i LOCKING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE DOORS Filed Aug. 13 1934' 4 she ts-Sheena 1 inventor; flaw 016%? 6.

Nov. 21, 1939.

A. c FINDLAY LOCKI NG MECHANISM FOR- AUTOMOBILE DOORS Filed Aug. 13, 19:54 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 WM, M

Inventor;

Patented Nov. 21,, 1939 warren STATES PATENT OFFICE LoOKmG MEOHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE noons.

'Alexanderfi. Findlay, Chicago, 111.

Application August 13,

' 20 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and improved locking mechanism 'for automobile doors, and more particularly to improved mechanism for controlling the locking of all the doors of an automobile from a single door.

Although locking mechanisms of a similar type "have been heretofore proposed, they have never been adopted commercially, nor have they been practical to the extent of affording the proper protection necessary to warrant their use. eral essential requisites are necessary to prowide a structure of this kind capable of practical adaptation. Wherever all the doors are locked,

- manipulation of the handles should be ineffective to unlock or unlatch the bolts, that is to say, inefiective to change the locking condition. The component parts forming the operating connection between the handles and the bolt should be free of load if an attemptis made to force the bolts-by means of the handles. On the other hand, if an inside central control is also pro- -vided, its locking action should be independent -.'of the locking action of the outside central control, so that each central control may set the locking bolt in looking relation in a manner 'requiring operation of the same central control to unlock the bolt. 'Access to the interior of the vehicle through a broken window or otherwise will not permit, therefore, the unlocking of the doors by the interior central control when the outsidecentral control has been locked.

It has been also found essential in the construction of this type of lock that the parts of each locking structure be properly protected, say, in the body and door of the car, and that the bolt be preferably blocked, to prevent its manipulation by force through the insertion of sharp tools or the like. Moreover, the mechanism transmitting the locking movement should be simple, capable of wear, and cooperate with the locking mechanism on each door to transmit the movement of the central control to the other doors without the parts jamming or otherwise becoming inoperative.

An object of my invention resides in the provi- 0 sionof a locking mechanism for all .the doors,

with a central control, having these advantages and capacities, and which issimple and durable, reliable and efiicient in operation, and easy and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and install. I

Briefly, my invention'is an interrelated group consisting of door latches, central controls such as a key-operated lock and an internally manually operable element, and connecting and Sev- 1934, Serial No. 739,549

operating mechanisms. These are so constructed that fromthe exterior side of one door, all of the doors can be locked simultaneously by insertion and operation of a key along with operation of the lock handle, and when so locked can be unlocked simultaneously by insertion and operation of the key along with operation of the lock handle. They are also so constructed that from the interior of the car body all of the doors can be locked simultaneously by operation of either-one or more controlling handles, and when so locked can be unlocked simultaneously by operation of the same one or more controlling I handles. They are also so constructed that each door latch, when locked, is in a state with its handles entirely disconnected from other members necessary to effect unlocking, and in a state where force applied to the handle or to any other accessible part of the system has no effective component tending to bring about the operating relationship between the various members necessary for unlocking. v

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanyin'g drawings forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates in part an automobile body... of the sedan type and having its four doors opening forwardly of the body; I

Fig. 2 illustratesdiagrammatically the locking mechanism embodying the invention which is employed in the type of automobile body shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustratesin part an automobile body of 4 the sedan type and having the front and rear doors on each side opening in opposed relation;

Fig. 4 illustrates diagrammatically an alternate mechanism embodying my invention, which is employed in the type of automobile body shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of that. part of the locking mechanism embodied in the door employing key means for operating the locking mechanism of all the doors; v

Fig, 6 is a similar view, at a smaller scale,'of the locking mechanism, but employing a handoperated device that is-used interiorlyof the car to lock all the doors; a A

Fig. '7 is a detailed illustration with the cover removed of the mechanismshown in Fig. 5, and with the parts in position to efiect normal latching of the door; K

F g. 8 is a similar viewbut preferably taken through the center plane of the mechanism and illustrating the parts in position to effect unlatching of' the door;

Fig. 9 is a similar view, also taken substantially through the center plane of the mechanism and illustrating the parts in their initial position to effect locking of the bolt, the handle in its upper position being the first step in its movement to effect this locking action, after the key is turned to locking position, but before it is withdrawn;

Fig. 10 is a similar view through substantially the same plane and illustrating the parts in the sameposition as shown in" Fig. 9, but with the handle in lower position and the key withdrawn, these two .views illustrating the manner of freeing the handles from the of the look by pressure on the handles when in their locking position;

Fig. 11 is a detailed sectional view taken on line II-H of Fig. 10; 1

Fig. 12 is a similar view taken on line l2i2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the parts transmitting the locking movement to the other doors, which locking movement is iniitiated by the keyoperated means at one of the oors;

Fig. 14 is a detail view illustrating a key-operated exterior central control and a manually operable interior central control associated in a single locking mechanism;

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate in detail the means employed as stops to limit the movement of crank arms forming part of the operating connections between the handles and the locking bolt; and.

Fig. 17 is a detail view illustrating mechanism for preventing accidental operation of the locking mechanism from unlocking position to locking position which might be caused by vibration or jarring of thevehicle during normal operation of the vehicle, or otherwise.

The mechanism shown herein and embodying the invention is capable of a rather broad application and may be embodied in automobiles having their doors opening in different directions, Figs. 1 and 3 illustrating bodies of the sedan type employing front from these two illustrations that from the practical standpoint there is no limitation with respect to the arrangement of the parts comprising the invention and their embodiment in automobile bodies of the four door or two door type, or any other arrangement of doors that may be desired.

Itwill be understood at the outset, however, that although the invention is illustrated in the drawings as particularly adapted to the locking of all the doors of an may be advantageously employed in locking a number of doors used'elsewhere.

Accordingly, there is illustrated a lock mechanism for each door," being designated 2, 3, 4 and in Figs. 2 and 4. Each lock mechanism is provided in a housing 6 having a cover 1 and carrying a bolt 8 which acts normally to keep the door latched in closed position.

As will be presently described, each bolt 8 also acts to keep each door locked in closed position when the key-operated means 9, functioning as one of the central controls, is actuated to disconnect thehandles by freeing them from their operating connection. with these bolts.

It will be apparent that each lock mechanism 2, 3,4 be substantially of the same and 5 may bolts to prevent forcing and rear doors, it being evident I automobile, the mechanism.

a pin i 3 carried by housing 6, urges the bolt for-.

wardly to bring the protruding end into engagement with the opposing keeper. To effect movement of bolt 8, two handles l4 and I5 are provided. As arranged in Fig. 5, handle I4 is the outside handle, and the handle I5 is the inside handle. These handles it and 15 have reduced shanks l6 and I1, the shank l1 preferably passing through say the cover 1 and the shank l6 passing through the rear wall of housing 6. A pin l8, having its ends reduced at (Fig. 11), which enter the inner ends of shanks l6 and I1, serves to keep the shanks spaced apart and in .central alignment for rotation whereby to hold crank arms l9 and 20 in properoperating relation with bars 2! and 22. Cranks l9 and 23, as

shown, are integral with shanks i1 and it, re-

spectively, but need not be, and they are kept in their proper locations with respect to cover 1 and housing 8 by sleeves 23 and 24, respectively. Bars 2 I and 22 are provided with the operating fingers 25 and 26, respectively, and disabling fingers 21 and 28, respectively. Operating fingers 25 and 26 are adapted normally to lie within a recess 29 in the bolt 8. These operating fingers are normally held in this position by the spring 55 with which bars 2| and 22 are provided. Cranks l9 and 20 are pivotally connected to the rear end of bars 2| and 22, so that, when either handle it or" I5 is moved downwardly, one of the bars will be moved rearwardly to pull the bolt 8 back and withdraw the front end from latching engagement with its keeper. Movement of either handles H or is independent of the other. Handle I5 will act to withdraw bar 2| while handle l4 will act to withdraw bar 22, and, in either instance, eifect unlatching movement of bolt 8. Both cranks I 9 and may have their movement limited by suitable stop means. Pins '66 and 61 may limit the movement of crank l9,

as shown in Fig. 15, and may be carried by cover 1: Pins 68 and 69 may limit-the movement of crank 20, as shown in Fig. 16, and may be carried in the rear wall of housing 6. Other suitable stop means may be used or other arrangement of these pins provided to secure the proper limited movement of the cranks so that upon upward movement of the handles and the swinging of these cranks counterclockwise, as shown in the drawings, the toggle action between the bars 2| and 22 and these cranks will be in proper operating relationship, with the operating fingers 25 and 26 in recess 29 to permit unlocking of bolt 8. Key-operated means 9 is provided preferably in the right front door of the car, as is custom-.

ary, although it will be understood that it may be provided in any of the other doors. This keyoperated means 9 is, of standard construction having the usual tumbler mechanism 30, which extends to the exterior of the door for accessibility by a key, and a casing 3| fitting in the door frame. i

It may be made, however, in accordance with well known practice so that the key can be inserted or withdrawn only when its locking plate is in a definite position, preferably its extreme upper position, as shown in the drawings. Operation of the mechanism by the key actuates a locking plate 32 having a locking lug 33 at the lower end thereof. Locking lug 33 is carried, however, by a plate 34, having a slot 35thereon.

- Plate 34 rides upon one or more pins 36 extending rearwardly of locking plate 32, when viewing the structure in Fig. 5, so that such pins will with two sets of pins, the upper set being designated 31 and 38, and the lower set being designated 39 and 40. The inner ends of these pins are pivoted to a pair of discs 4| and 42, pivotally carried by a pintle 43. Pintle 43 is preferably carried in the housing..6 and the cover plate 1. Upper pins 31 and 38 are connected to discs 4| and 42 at the points 44 and 45', respectively. Lower pins 39 and 40 are connected to the discs 4| and 42 in a similar manner at 46. 'Discs 4| and 42 are each cut away for a part of their periphery, as at 1|, and a projection, which is a part of a member 90 (Figs. 5 and 6) enters this cut-away portionto prevent rotation of either plate beyond the limit of its proper operation.

The pivotal connections 44, 45 and 46 are so arranged with respect to the mounting of discs 4| and 42 that movement of disc 4| will reciprocate pins 31 and 39, to-wit, counterclockwise rotation of disc 4| will extend pin 31 beyond housing 6 and will withdraw pin 39 into housing 6, whereas clockwise rotation will withdraw pin 31 and will extend pin 39 until the limit of motion of disc 4| is reached, when the ends'of pins 31 and 39 will be flush with the exterior of housing 6. Likewise, counterclockwise rotation of disc 42 will extend pin 39 and will withdraw pin 40, whereas clockwise rotation will withdraw pin 38 and extend pin 40. Conversely, a movement of pin '31 or 38 to the left will rotate disc 4| or 42 counterclockwise and will produce a movement of pin 39 or 40 to the right. I preferably provide a block 48, having openings 49 therein, to provide a support and bearing for the lower pins when they are moved to the right in the course-of their operation, as will be hereinafter described, and to guide them into the openings provided for them in the housing as they are subsequently moved t the left.

Aspreviously explained, discs 4| and 42 are independently pivoted upon shaft 43. Reciprocal movement of bar 50, which is an extension of pin 38, will rotate disc 42, within the limits permitted by the projecting shoulder of member 90. This reciprocal movement is effected by mechanism which I will now describe, which mechanism is operated by the exterior handle H in the illustration of Fig. 5. The reason that theexterior handle I4 is arranged to effectreciprocal motion of bar 50 in the showing in Fig. 5 is that in this illustration the key-operated means 9 is shown to effect locking of the mechanism. In the event the mechanism is to be locked from the interior of the car by the manually operated device shown at in Fig; 6, an interior handle I 5 will'eilect the reciprocal movement, but in this case it;will be a reciprocal movement of pin 31 extended backward into bar 86. Bearing 24 of crank arm 20 has formed thereon an upstanding arm 56, the

upper end of which is formed into a horizontal plate 51 provided with a slot 58. Plate 51 is so formed that it extends a suflicient distance to raise the slot 58 from the lower bent-back portion 59, whereby to allow the locking lug 33 to be extended downwardly into and through slot 58 without interfering with this bent-back portion 59. A spring 60, which may be of any suitable type, protrudes forwardly from pin l3 normally to keep the device 56 in a vertical position. When the key is inserted in tumbler 30 and moved to a locking position, locking lug 33 is projected into and through slot 58. Upward movement of the handle l4, as shown in Fig. 9, will effect forward movement of rod 50 and its integral pin 38, thereby revolving plate 42 counterclockwise. This is the initial step of effecting a locking condition of the mechanism.

As heretofore explained, arms 2| and 22 are provided with disabling fingers 21 and 28, and they have horizontal extensions 6| and 62, respectively, extending forwardly toward and between discs 4| and 42. These latter plates 4| and 42 are cut away along a portion of their periphery to allow a U-strap 63 mounted upon shaft 43 to be carried with either plate as it is rotated counterclockwise. The U-strap 63 will be lifted upwardly by plate 42 to lift the horizontal projections 6| and 62 of both disabling fingers 21 and 28, tilting the bars 2| and 22 about their pivotal connections with crank arms l9 and 28. The arrangement between the crank arms l9 and 20 and these bars will thereby allow both handles I4 and I5 to freely move without affecting awithdrawal of bolt 8 from its adjacent keeper. These handles l4 and I5 are, however, held in their normal horizontal position by springs 1| and 10 arranged in any well-known manner. Since withdrawal; of locking plate 32 is necessary before the key can be withdrawn, as explained hereinbefore, the operating connection between handle |4 through plate 51 with bar 58 must be broken before removal of the key, and can only be restored by re-insertion and movement of the key. The slot 58 in plate 51 is of. such length that in the locked condition, the key may be inserted and turned, and will then project lug 33 into the left end of slot58. Subsequent downward movement of handle l4 will move bar 50 and pin 38 to the right, will rotate disc 42 clockwise, and will move pin 46 to the left. Clockwise movement of plate 42 will likewise allow the strap 63 to drop downwardly to release horizontal extension 6| and 62, whereby the bars 2| and 22 will be lowered by gravity and by springs 65, to bring their operating fingers 25 and 26 into operating relation with bolt 8 by entering recess 29. The key is again turned in look 9 to withdraw plate 32, and also looking lug 33 out of engagement in slot 58 of pate 56. Handles 4 and I5 may then be operated in the usual way to unlatch bolt 8 from engagement with its keeper so as to open the door.

The interiorly operated central control for the locking mechanism .of all the doors may assume the form of a manually operated device shown at 55 in Fig. 6. It will be understood, however, that this interiorly operated central control may be embodied in various ways withinthe car instead of the latch 15 associatedwith the locking mechanism 4- on the front door next to the driver. However, it is preferable for numerous reasons to locate the inside central control at a point convenient to the driver so that he may actuate the same at any time while driving the car. This -will permit the driver to lock himself inside the car at a moment's notice, say when he observes that he isabout to be stopped and robbed as he checks the speed of the car at a road intersection. On the other hand, the danger'of doors accidentally opening and baggage dropping out of the car while the car is in motion, or the-danger of the doors being opened by children, is entirely eliminated.

Finger latch I5 may be carried on a pin 18 suitably mounted in rotatable relation in the frame of the door to swing a bar 11. Bar I1 is provided" with a laterally movable stud I8 which rides in a slot I8 to raise and lower alocking plate 88 similar to locking plate 32. Locking plate 88 is provided with a headed stud 8|, which stud 8| rides in a slot 82 in a plate 83. Plate 88 is provided with a locking lug 84 adapted to ride in an opening in the flattened portion 85 of bar 88 forming the rear extension of pin 31.

As previously explained in connection with Fig. 5, upper pin 31 is pivoted at 44, but, in the looking mechanism 4 embodying the interior central control shown in Fig. 6, this pin continues rearwardly beyond the pivotal connection 44 as bar 88. In this instance, however,"the other upper pin 38 terminates at its pivotal connection 45 with disc 42 and does not have the rearwardly extending bar 58 as shown in Fig. 5. Sleeve 23 on shank II of the interior handle I5 has the upstanding arm 56 instead of sleeve 24 on the shank I8 of the exterior handle I4. Member 58 with its parts 51, 58 and 58, may be of the same construction as member 58 shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, when looking plate 88 is depressed by virtue of the operation of finger latch 15, locking lug 84 moves downwardly into slot 58 so that when the interior handle I5 is moved upwardly, the plate 51 will engage locking ing 84 and move the latter to the left, as shown in this Fig. 6,.this resulting in a movement of bar 88 in the, same direction to rotate disc 4| counterclockwise. The rotation of discs 4| will lift U-strap 83 upwardly to lift the horizontal extension 8| and 82 of disabling fingers 21 and 28. Lifting-the disabling fingers 21 and 28 raises the bars 2| and 22 and also their operating fingers 25and 28 out of recess 28, and consequently, out of operating relation with bolt 8. Finger latch I5 is thereafter returned to its normal position whereby to lift locking lug 84 out of slot 58, and therefore," out of operating engagement with plate 51. It will be observed, therefore, that both the interior and exterior handles I5 and I4, respectively, are disconnected; that is to say, the operating connections between these handles and bolt 8 are disabled so that movement of the handles thereafter will be .ineffective to unlatch bolt 8 from its keeper.

To re-establish these operating connections'to permit either handle to operate bolt 8 requires operation of the finger latch I5 in order that the bar 51 may engage the locking lug 84 to return bar 86 to the right, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to rotate or return the disc 4| in a clockwise direction and allow the operating fingers 25 and 28 of bars 2| and 22 to drop into recess 28, and thereby restore their operating relation with bolt 8. It will be noted that plate 88 is allowed horizontal movement by virtue of the headed stud 8| riding in its slot 82. In this form of construction; headed stud 8| may be used as an alternative form for pins 38 shownin Fig. 5. I

The operating parts of the locking mechanism on each door are compactly arranged and secured within housing 8, and therefore, are not exposed to tampering or mutilation. To prevent. retraction of the locking bolt 8 from its keeper, when the locking mechanism of each door is in lockingposition, such as might happen when the edge of with a pair of pins I88 and MI.

a door panel is pried out and a thin tool is inserted between the door and jamb, I provide a unique type of blocking device operable to block this bolt 8 when the locking mechanism is set into locking position. This blocking device may comprise the member 88 having one or more'pins 8| extending from its ends, as shown in Figs. 6 and 12, which pins may set into the rear wall of housing 8 and into the front cover plate I, in order to hold member 88 in rigid position. Member 88 is cut away at 82 so that the former may bridge the upper face of locking bolt 8 and preferably lie over recess 28. Member 88 is provided with a slot 83 receiving a pair of pins 84 pivotally connected at 85 preferably to the inside faces of discs H and 42 (see Fig. 12). When either disc 4| or 42 is rotated counterclockwise, say when these parts are moved to lockin position, corresponding locking pin 84 moves through slot 83 in member 88 into recess '28 of the bolt 8. The bolt 8 will be, of course, in latching engagement with its keeper. Member 88 is preferably located with respect to bolt 8 and its recess 28 to allow locking pins 84 to drop into recess 28 immediately in back of the front inside end wall of recess 28. Any attempt to pry or move bolt 8 out of latching engagement with its keeper will be blocked by virtue of this front inside end face of recess 28 striking the blocking pins 84. Bolt 8 is blocked, therefore, in locking relation with ,its keeper, which relation may not be changed until the central control, either the exteriorly operated key means 8 or the interiorly operated finger means 55, is actuated to unlock the door. Member 88 may also act as a guide for the bolt 8 to prevent any sidewise movement of the latter while being moved. 7

It will be observed that the operating parts of each locking mechanism are designed to provide independent operation between the exteriorly operated key means 8 and the interiorly operated finger latch means 55. Consequently, the keyoperated means 8 cannot be unlocked by manipulation of the interiorly operated finger means 55, nor may the interiorly operated finger means 55 be unlocked by the key means 8. If all the doors are locked by the exteriorly key-operated means 8, access to the interior handles I5 by breaking a window of the car will not permit the doors to be opened by operation of the finger latch I5. If the interior central control has been operated to setthe mechanism into locking position, it is likewise impossible to disable the locking relation by actuation of the key-operated means 8.

The means for transmitting the movement of the exterior and interior central controls, or looking devices 8 and 55, respectively, to the other doors to disable the normal operating relation between their handles and their bolts, whereby to prevent withdrawal of said bolts and the opening of these other doors, has been shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and 13. Describing first this meansas I employ it on the sedan type of automobile body, having the doors hinged to open in .opposed relation, as shown in Figs. 8, 4 and 13,

. wherein the front and rear doors on each side are latched in keepers on an intermediate jamb 'or stile post, two pairs of segments 85 and 88 are pivoted at 81 and 88, respectively, within a style post 88. Each toothed segment 85 is provided Each toothed segment 88 is provided with a pair of pins I82 and I83. Pins I88 and I82 are preferably shorter than pins IM and I83. These upperpins I88 and I82 are adapted to align with upper pins 31 and 38 in each lockingniechanism, while the lower pins- MI and I03 are adapted to align with the lower pins 39 and 40.

As previously stated, the lower pins 39 and 40 of each locking mechanism are shorter than the upper pins 31 and 38 and are therefore preferably guided in openings 49 of bearing block 48, the purpose of which is to keep these lower pins 39 and 40 in alignment with the pins IM and I03 when theformer are withdrawn into housing 6. In view of the length of the upper pins 31 and 38, it is preferable to cut away the style post at I04 about each pin I and I02 so that any play of these longer pins 31 and 38 will not throw them out of engagement with the pins I00 and I02. A toothed segment of one of the pairs, say of the pair of toothed segments95, is adapted to have a flexible connection I connect therewith, which flexible connection may be entrained across the body of the car to the corresponding toothed segment on the opposite side,

Fig. 4. If it is found desirable, a rigid hook I06 may'form the direct connection, as at I01, be-

tween the flexible connection I05 and the toothed segments 95.

It will be observed, however, that each pair of locking mechanisms on opposite sides of the car, say the locking mechanisms 2 and 3 on the right-hand side and the mechanisms 4 and 5 on the left-hand side of the car, as shown in Fig. 4, are provided with two sets of toothed gears 95 and 96. The outer set of toothed gears 95 and 96 have their pins I00 to I03, inclusive, cooperating with the upper and lower pins 31 and 39 of each locking mechanism of the pair. The inside set of toothed gears 95 and 98 have their pins I00 to I03, inclusive, cooperating with the upper and lower pins 38 and 40 of the two locking mechanisms forming this pair. Flexible connection I05 may connect with the toothed segment 95 of the outer pair of segments of each pair of locking mechanisms 2 to 5, inclusive, on opposite sides of the car. Another flexible connection I09, similar to flexible connection I05, may connect to the toothed segment 95 of the inside pair of such toothed segments 95 on sides of the car. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit independent operation of the operating connection between exterior and interior handles I4 and I5 and their bolt of the locking mechanism on each door when either the exterior key-operated central control 9 or the interior central control 55 is actuated; that is to say, if the key-operated exterior control 9 is actuated by the key to effect locking of all the doors, the outer set of toothed segments 95 and 96 and the flexible. connection I05 will operate to free the exterior handle of each door from latching relation with its bolt by disabling the intermediate operating connection. Likewise, if the interior central control 55, say specifically the finger latch 15, is operated, the inside set of toothed segments 95 and 96 and the flexible connection I09 will move to free the interior handles of each door from latching relation with its bolt by disabling the intermediate operating connection. As above stated, the intermediate operating connection of each locking mechanism comprises the bars 2| and 22 andtheir operating fingers 25 and 26, which normally ride in recess 29' of bolt 8 to engage and move bolt 8 into latching 1 longer upper pin 38 will move outwardly of one of the openings 41 in housing 8 of locking mechanism 2 to engage the upper outside shorter pin- I00 carried by the outside toothed segment 95. This action will move the outer pin I00 to the left, as viewed in .Fig. 13 to rotate outer toothed segment 95 counterclockwise about its pivotal mounting 91. The outside toothed segment 96 will likewise move, but clockwise, thereby causing the lower outside shorter pin 40 of locking mechanism 3 to rotate its disc 42 whereby to lift the cooperating U-bar 63 and the disabling fingers 21 and 29, and to lower its pin 94 into recess 29. As previously explained, lifting the disabling fingers 21 and 28 out of recess 29 of bolt 0 and therefore out of operating relation with the bolt 9 disables the operating connection between the handles and the-bolt of each locking mechanism 2 and 3 so that the movement thereafter of the handles will be ineffective to unlatch the bolts from their ke'epers. Counterclockwise movement of outer toothed segment 95 draws the flexible connections I05 downwardly to result in a rotational movement of the outer toothed segments 95 and 96 of the locking mechanism 4 and 5 on the opposite side of the car. This rotational movement of these outer toothed segments 95 and 96 on the opposite side of the car will cause their lower pins IOI and I03 to protrude and to press in lower pins 40 of locking mechanisms 4 and 5, thereby rotating discs 42 and lifting U members 63 of these locking mechanisms 4 and 5, and lowering pins 94, and thus rendering both of these locking mechanisms inoperative. The same sequence of operation between corresponding parts will result if the interior finger latch 15 of the interior central control' 55 is operated tollock the doors from inside of the car. Instead of the outer discs 95 and 96 and the flexible connection I05 functioning to set the locking mechanisms on the opposite side of the car into locking position, the inner discs 95 and 96 and the flexible connection I09 will operate and will rotate discs M by means of the pins 39. When it is desirable to unlock the doors, say by the key-operated means 9, if it has been used to lock the doors, or by the interior, finger latch 15, if the latter has been used to lock the doors, a reverse movement of either of the flexible connections I05 and I09 will re-establish the operating connection between the handles and their bolts of both doors on the opposite side of the car. The locking mechanism opposite to the locking mechanism carrying the central control will be operated directly'from the j latter through the interposed toothed segments 95 and 96 carried in the style post.

key-operated means 9. The rear door on the same side of the vehicle, which carries the locking mechanism 3, will be provided with a set of segments III. A .pair of segments H2 and H3 will 'be provided'along the adjoining edges of the openings for the iron't and rear doors onv the opposite side of the vehicle which carried the locking mechanisms 4 and "5. The outside segment of each set I Ilian'd III will be connected by a flexible connection H4. Similarly, the outside segment of sets H2 and H3 will be connected by a flexible connection H5. The inside segment of the sets H6 and III and the sets H2 and H3 will be connected by flexible connections H6 and H1, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 2, the outside flexible connections H4 and H5 may be connected by a flexible connection. H8, while the inside flexible connections H6 and Ill may be connected by a flexible connection H9. Actuation of the key-operated means 9 will cause the outer segment of the set H to operate the outer segments of the other sets III, H2 and H3, whereby to disable the operating connectionbetween the handles of the respective doors and their locking bolts.

Likewise, if the interior central control 55, say

' the finger latch 15, is actuated, the inside toothed segments of the various sets will operate instead, but through the flexible connections H6, H1 and H9, instead of the flexible connections H4, H and H8. The upper pins 31 and 38 and the lower pins 39 and 40 of the locking mechanisms 2, 3, 4 and 5, as shown in the system illustrated in Fig. 2, are adapted to actuate upper and lower pins designated generally as I20 and I2I carried by the segments of each set I I 0, III, H2 and H3. In view of the fact that the operation of these pins is substantially the same as explained in connection with the locking system shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 13, for the sake of brevity I deem it unnecessary to further explain their construction and operation.

While I have thus far described the interior central control as comprising the finger latch I5 illustrated more specifically in Fig. 6, it will be apparent that a similar finger latch I25 shown in Fig. 4 may be employed instead and located anywhere within the vehicle. Being fastened to one of the flexible connections, say connection I 69, leading from one side to the other of the vehicle, this finger latch I25 may be accessible inside the ear, say at any convenient point along.

the inside face of the style-post between the doors, or elsewhere.

It will be understood, however, that flexible connections I05 and I69 may be led from one side to the other side or the vehicle body, in any convenient way. I do not intend, therefore, to be limited to the specific illustration shown in the drawings.

It will be apparent that the constructions thus far described have their parts so arranged as to prevent any vibration or jarring of the vehicle from causing accidental movement. of plate 34 to the left, as viewed in the drawings, which might move the bar 50 or the'bar 86. to the left 34. tongue T26 may 'be 'formed on plate so as to extend or lie adjacent extension I2'I when the .plate 34-has been moved, say upwardly in this case, to unlocking position by the key of mechanism 9. Consequently, vibration or jarring of the vehicle will prevent anyaccidental movement of plate 34 to the left, which might otherwise be caused by virtue of the arrangement of the pins 36 in the elongated slot 35.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain'the gist of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adopt the samefor use under varying conditions of service, without eliminating certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following. claims. l

I claim:

1.1. A locking mechanism' for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door independently of movement of the other handle, an operating connection between each handle and said bolt, and a key operated device on one side of said door for dis abling both operating connections whereby to disconnect both handles from said bolt.

2. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, an operating connection between each handle and said bolt, and a locking device on each side of the door, each locking device being associated with saidoperating connections to disconnect both handles from said bolt independently of the action of the other locking device.

3. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, an operating connection between each handle and said bolt, and a locking device on each side of the door associated with said operating connections, the operation of either locking device disconnecting both handles from operating relation with said bolt, said operating connections being provided with means for keeping said bolt in disconnected relation until reconnected by the restoration of the said.

the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door independently of movement of the other handle, and a locking device on at least one side of said door for disconnecting both handles from said bolt and thereby preventing said bolt from being withdrawn to open said door.

5. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, a locking device on each side of said door, and means operable by either locking device to disconnect both handles from said bolt and thereby prevent said bolt from being withdrawn to open said door, said means operable to re-connect said handles with said keep the door in closed position, a handle on bolt only by the locking device disconnecting said handles from said bolt.

6. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, means normally connecting said handles with said bolt comprising a pivotally mounted member for each handle adapted to engage said bolt and withdraw it for opening the door by movement of either of said handles, and means for disabling said operating connection between said pivotally mounted members and said bolt including a rotatable member and manually operable means for actuating said rotatable member.

'7. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, means normally connecting said handles with said bolt comprising a pivotally mounted member for each handle adapted to engage said bolt and withdraw it for opening the door by movement of either of said handles,

and means for disabling said operating connection between said pivotally mounted members and said bolt including a rotatable member and a manually operable locking device adapted to actuate said rotatable member and free said pivotally mounted members from said bolt.

8. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, means normally connecting said handles with said bolt comprising, for each handle, a member and a spring therefor normally keeping said member in engagement with said bolt for movement by the handle, means for disabling said connection between each spring member and said bolt comprising a rotatable member, an arm movable by one of said handles, a locking lug, and means for completing the connection between said rotatable member, said arm and said locking lug whereby operation of said locking lug and the handle actuates said rotatable member to disconnect both of said spring members from said bolt.

9. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each sideof said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, means normally connecting said handles with said bolt comprising for each handle a member and a spring therefor normally keeping said member in engagement with said bolt for movement by the handle, means for disabling said connection between each spring member and said bolt comprising a rotatable member, an arm movable by either of said handles, a looking lug, and means for completing the connection between said rotatable member, said arm and said locking lug whereby operation of said locking lug and one of said handles actuates said rotatable member to disconnect both of said spring members from said bolt, said connecting means being thereafter disconnected from said arm and said locking lug by the withdrawal of said locking lug whereby both of said handles are disconnected from operating relation with the operating parts of the look while said spring members are disconnected from said bolt.

10. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging anadjacent keeper to each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door, means normally connecting said handles with said bolt comprising a spring urged member for each handle adapted normally to engage said bolt, a crank arm for each handle, said spring urged members connecting at one end to said crank arms, means for disabling said connection between each spring member and said bolt including a rotatable member and manually operable means for actuating said rotatable member whereby to free said spring members from said bolt, the connection between said spring members and said crank arms thereafter permitting movement of said handles without reengaging said spring members with said bolt.

11. A system for locking a plurality of vehicle. doors by a central control comprising, in com.-

bination, a bolt for each door for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, handles on each door for withdrawing the bolt and opening the door; an operating condoor from their bolt to prevent withdrawal of the bolt and the opening of said door from either side, and means for transmitting the movement of said disabling means to the other doors to free the handles thereon and to prevent withdrawal of their bolts and the opening of these other doors.

12. A system for looking a plurality of vehicle doors by a central control comprising in combination, a bolt for each door for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of each door for withdrawing the bolt and opening the door, an operating connection on each door between each handle and the bolt, means on one of said doors for disabling the operating connection thereof by freeing the handles on the opposite sides of the door from this bolt to prevent withdrawal of this bolt and the opening of the door, and means for transmitting the movement of said disabling means to the other doors to free the handles on opposite sides thereof and to prevent withdrawal of their bolts and the opening of these other doors. i

13. A system for looking a plurality of vehicle doors by a central control comprising, in combination, a bolt for each door for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, handles on opposite sides of the doors for said bolts, an operating connection on each door between the bolt and the handle on each side of the door, means for disabling said operative connectionsfincluding a central control device associated with one of said operating connections, and means for transmittingthe disabling action of said central control device to said other connections.

14. A system for locking a plurality, of vehicle doors by a central control including a locking mechanism on each door, key operated means for operating one of said locking mechanisms, and means. for transmitting the action of said key operated means to said other locking mechanisms each locking mechanism, pivotally mounted disk 'members having pins thereon for cooperating enga'gement with said reciprocating pins, and flexible connections between said disk members. 15. A system for locking a plurality of vehicle doors by a central control. comprising, in combination, a bolt for each door for engaging an adjacent keeper in the frame of the vehicle to keep the door in closed position, handles on the doors for said bolts, a locking mechanism associated with each bolt, key operated means for actuating one of said locking mechanisms, and means for transmitting the movement of said key operated means to the other locking mechanism including pivotally mounted elements in said vehicle frame, a plurality of pins, certain of which are connected to said'locking mechanisms and others of which are connected to said pivotally mounted elements, and flexible connections between said pivotally mounted elements.

16. A system for looking a plurality of vehicle doors by a central control comprising, in combination, a bolt for each door for engaging an adjacent keeper in the frame of the vehicle to keep the door in closed position, handles on the doors for operating said bolts, means for disconnecting the handles from said bolts including between said handles and said bolt, the whole being so arranged that the operating connection when broken can be restored only by the use of the key.

18. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door independently of movement of the other handle, operative connecting means between said handles and said bolt, and a key operated device on one side of said door for disabling said operative connecting means whereby to disconnect both handles from said bolt.

19. A locking mechanism for a door comprising a bolt for-engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing said bolt and opening the door independently of movement of the other handle, and locking means for disconnecting both handles from said bolt and thereby preventing said bolt from being withdrawn to open said door.

20. A locking mechanism for a door comprising in combination, a bolt for engaging an adjacent keeper to keep the door in closed position, a handle on each side of said door for withdrawing the bolt and opening the door, a separate operating connection between each handle and the bolt, and means for disabling both operating connections by freeing both handles from the bolt to prevent withdrawal of the bolt and the opening of the door.

\ ALEXANDER C. FINDLAY. 

